Thomas J. Re1,
2, Allison C.R. Scott3, Michael J. Paldino4,
Andrea Righini2, Patricia Ellen Grant, 45, Emi Takahashi6
1Department
of Radiology and Neuroradiology, University of Milan, Milan, MI, Italy; 2Buzzi
Childrens Hospital, Milan, MI, Italy; 3Columbia University, New
York, NY, United States; 4Department of Radiology, Boston
Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, United States; 5Division of
Newborn Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, United States; 6Division
of Newborn Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School,
Boston, MA, United States
We aimed to describe the evolution of the middle cerebellar peduncle (MCP) in developing human subjects ranging from 30 gestational weeks to 18 years old, using high angular resolution diffusion imaging tractography. This work appears to demonstrate a bi-phasic development for the MCP pathways. The first phase, occurring from term to 3Y, would be dedicated mainly to the development of the rostral pons to inferior cerebellum pathway. While the second phase, completing about 6Y, would correspond to the development of the caudal pons to superior cerebellum pathway. It is likely that the major cause of these DTI changes is related to the degree of mylenation of existing tracks.